Live the Bhāgavatam · SB 4.7.14
Poṣaṇa· The Lord's protectionRituals Must Lead to Devotional Service
“My dear great and powerful Lord Śiva, you were created first from the mouth of Lord Brahmā in order to protect the brāhmaṇas in pursuing education, austerities, vows and self-realization. As protector of the brāhmaṇas, you always protect the regulative principles they follow, just as a cowherd boy keeps a stick in his hand to give protection to the cows.”
What the purport teaches
- Whatever one's social status, human life calls for control of the mind and senses through the regulative principles of the Vedic śāstras.
- Lord Śiva, addressed here as the representative of the Supreme Lord Viṣṇu, protects living entities in their pursuit of self-realization.
- Vedic rituals without understanding the Supreme Personality of Godhead and developing Kṛṣṇa consciousness are simply wasted labor. Their purpose is advancement in devotional service.
Try this today
Before one spiritual practice today, consciously renew your intention to advance in devotional service rather than merely complete a ritual.
Ask yourself
Are your spiritual practices helping you grow in Kṛṣṇa consciousness, or becoming mere routine?
Carry the question through the day, then answer it in your own words before sleep.
The study points, practice and question are short summaries drawn from Śrīla Prabhupāda's translation and purport. Read the full purport to go deeper.